Perkiomen Valley students look to help veterans in need

SKIPPACK — A pair of Perkiomen Valley High School juniors are using their graduation project to help veterans in need.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 1, Maria Travis and Evan Agnew are hosting a Purple Heart Pickup that will collect “basic and essential goods” for “current and future veterans” that need them.

“Initially, my teacher, Tom Komp, came to Evan Agnew and I asking if we wanted to do a fundraiser with (The Purple Heart Foundation),” Travis said. “I was immediately attracted to the idea because my grandfather is currently in a veterans’ home and I always wanted to do something to give back to the veterans there.”

Those with small appliances, bedding, draperies, books, toys, clothing, electronics, household goods, kitchenware, sporting goods and tools that they’d like to donate can come to the Perkiomen Valley High School and drop them off.

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Travis and Agnew will have everything set up in the high school’s student parking lot, to the left of the entrance from Gravel Pike.

Those dropping off goods for the Purple Heart Pickup will be provided with hot chocolate and coffee. Some baked goods will also be available, Travis said.

“A lot has gone into planning this event,” Travis said.

Travis and Agnew had to convince a club to join them in the event to avoid a fee for using the school grounds, as well as arrange an appointment with the school’s principal, Cyndi Lewis, to hammer out details.

Travis also coordinated with the Purple Heart Foundation to arrange the pickup since they normally only do their pickups on weekdays.

“Advertising the event has been the most tricky,” part, Travis said.

The pair had to learn how to write a press release to make organizations like The Mercury aware of what was going on.

“We did create a Facebook page but we were advised that would not be enough to get many people there,” Travis said.

Although most of the work is done, Travis said they know they can’t coast into the pickup weekend.

“There is still much to do,” she said. “But we are very excited and think the event will be a success.”